Carrier



Aug. 22, F967 B. G. PARKER CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 31, 1964 INVENTOR. EE/VJA/W/V GPARKER BY ATTORNEYS Aug. 22, 3967 B. G. PARKER 3,337,043

CARRIER Filed Jan. 31, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. BENJAMIN 6. PARKE/i j T 4K ATTORNEYS CARRIER Filed Jan. 31, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet Iv INVENTOR. BENJAMIN 6'. PAR/(ER v f; w W

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,337,043 Patented Aug. 22, 1967 3,337,043 CARRIER Benjamin G. Parker, Mill Valley, Calif., assignor to Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 341,576 9 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to a carrier comprising a blank having arcuate tab means adapted to be arranged in retaining position against portions of one or more cylindrical objects.

Many attempts have been made to efliciently position one or more cylindrical objects in a carrier. For example, many can retaining problems arise in connection with the packaging of a conventional. six-pack. A paperboard blank, preferably of minimum size, is wrapped around a plurality of aligned beverage cans and retaining means are employed therewith to position and/or prevent the cans from falling out of the ends of the carrier. Such retaining means have generally taken the form of independent clip members or tab members hingedly connected to the blank and suitably positioned in retaining relationship against portions of an opposed can.

This invention provides such a retaining means and comprises a tab hingedly connected to a panel of a blank by an arcuate hinge line. The blank is adapted to be suitably erected to retain one or more cylindrical objects with the tab automatically assuming an arcuate configuration when arranged to abut a portion of the object to posi-' tion it in the carrier. In one application of this invention, the arcuate tab thus formed is arranged in the carrier to abut the object to prevent it from falling out of an end of the carrier. The term arcuate tab is defined to mean that the plane in which the tab lies substantially assumes an arcuate configuration.

An object of this invention is to provide a tab hingedly attached to a blank by an arcuate score line adapted to efiiciently position a cylindrical object when the blank is erected to form a carrier.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrier for transporting a plurality of cylindrical objects comprising a paperboard blank arranged in wrap-around relationship with the objects and having one or more arcuate tabs arranged thereon to abut end portions of one or more of the objects to prevent the object or objects from falling out of an open end of the carrier.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view disclosing the arcuate tab means of this invention applied to a six-pack beverage carrier;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial elevational view taken in the direction of arrows 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial plan view taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a flattened blank employed in the carrier of FIG. '1;

FIG. 5 discloses the arcuate tab means of this invention applied to a carrier comprising a single row of cylindrical objects;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, end elevational view of the carrier shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 discloses a flattened blank employed in the carrier shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view disclosing the arcuate tab means of this invention employed in a bottle carrier.

Referring to FIG. 1, arcuate tabs 10 of this invention are shown as utilized in a six-pack carrier. The carrier preferably comprises a paperboard blank 11 arranged in wrap-around relationship to three pairs of aligned cylindrical objects or cans C. Anti-racking means, shown in the form of resilient clips 12, may be arranged to engage and retain the upper chimes of the cans. In addition to the anti-racking function, the clips may be arranged to aid in preventing the cans from moving out of the carrier. As more clearly disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tabs are bent into-supstanding relationship between each end pair of cans and automatically form an arcuate pocket which positions and prevents the cans from moving out of each end of the carrier.

FIG. 4 discloses the carrier blank as comprising a bottom panel 13, a first side panel 14, a top panel 15 and a second side panel 16, all four of which are hingedly connected together in series by suitable score lines. A connecting flap 17 may be hingedly connected by a suitable score line to bottom panel 13 or side panel 16 (as shown) and is adapted to be attached to an opposed panel by suitable adhesive means to form the carrier of FIG. 1.

Tabs 10 are defined in the first or bottom panel adjacent side edges thereof by cuts 18 and automatically assume the arcuate configuration shown in FIGS. 1-3 due to the fact that they are hingedly connected to the bottom panel by arcuate score lines 19. In this application of the invention, the arcuate score lines are arranged intermediate the width of the bottom panel and preferably diverge away from each other towards an adjacent side edge thereof in the manner shown. It should be noted the tabs 10 may be formed in any one of the panels depending under consideration. The remaining cuts and scores may be accordingly repositioned on the blank in a suitable manner.

Preferably, the arcuate score lines are subscribed by r a radius r which has its center 0 substantially coinciding with the center of the cylindrical object to be positioned, 1.e., radius r substantially equals one-quarter of the width of panel 13. 'However, it should be understood that such a tab out of the plane of bottom panel 13 and through an are greater than ninety degrees. Thus, the tabs are ultimately arranged at substantially a right angle with respect to the plane of the bottom panel and firmly position the can due to their inherent resistance to further bending. It has been found in actual practice that the two aligned and numbered cut lines shown in FIG. 3 may be connected through the narrowest portion or bridging connection 21 between the two tabs without substantially distracting from the positioning function.

Due to the fact that many aluminum beverage cans are now being manufactured with a single chime at the top end thereof, a plurality of tabs 22 are preferably formed in bottom panel 13 and arranged in upstanding relationship between the cans to prevent engagement therebetween. It has been found in certain applications that when these tabs are connected to the panel by means of arcuate score lines 23 that the separating and positioning function is enhanced to thus suggest a further application of the arcuate tab concept.

FIGS. 5 and 6 disclosed the arcuate tameans of dis invention applied to a carrier comprising a paperoard blank arranged in wrap-around relationship to a ow of three aligned cans C. Arcuate tabs 26 are ormed out of the top and bottom panels by suitable cut ines and are arranged adjacent diagonally opposed coriers of the carrier to prevent each of the end cans from moving out of the respective ends of the carrier. FIG. 7 liseloses each tab as hingedly connected to the blank by neans of an arcuate score line 27. A center c and radius may be employed to define the score line in substantially be same manner as above described.

The blank comprises a bottom panel panel 29, a top panel 30, a second side panel 31 and a connecting flap 32. Alternatively, the connecting flap may be connected to bottom panel 28. The flap may be suitably secured by adhesive means or the like to bottom panel 28 to aid in the formation of the carrier of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 discloses another application of the arcuate tabs means of this invention. The carrier preferably comprises a paperboard blank, substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 7, arranged in wrap-around relationship to one or more substantially cylindrical objects or bottles B. Tabs 36 are substantially diagonally arranged adjacent corners of the carrier and are hingedly connected to the blank thereof by arcuate score lines to maintain the tabs in abutting relationship to top and bottom end portions of the bottle to prevent it from escaping from the carrier. The upper tab is positioned inwardly, towards the center of the carrier, to accommodate the restricted throat portion of the bottle.

As a further application of the arcuate tab means of this invention the tab 26 arrangement of FIG. 6 may be substituted in lieu of tab arrangement 10 in FIG. 1. With this carrier arrangement, one of the tabs would be positioned adjacent side panel 14- and the other tab adjacent side panel 16 in FIG. 1. The tabs would thus be hingedly attached to bottom panel 13 to position cans C in substantially the manner shown in FIG. 6.

Also, the last mentioned carrier could be modified by dispensing with clips 12 and adapting two more tabs 26 to top panel to thus provide a retaining tab adjacent each corner of the carrier. With such a carrier, conventional anti-racking means, i.e., means to prevent relative up and down movement of the cans, could be employed if so desired.

I claim:

1. A can carrier comprising a paperboard blank arranged in wrap-around relationship with respect to pairs of aligned cans, said blank comprising opposed top and bottom panels arranged in abutting relationship to upper and lower ends of the cans, respectively, and further comprising two opposed side panels, all of said panels arranged to form at least one open end on said carrier having one pair of said cans arranged thereat, one pair of opposed arcuate tabs arranged in upstanding relationship between ends of said one pair of cans, each of said arcuate tabs arranged to engage and substantially conform to cylindrical portions of a can of said one pair, each of said arcuate tabs hingedly connected to the bottom panel of said blank by an arcuate score line, said score lines arranged to diverge away from each other towards the open end of said carrier.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said score lines are defined by a radius which is substantially centered at the center of radius of the cylindrical object which is engaged by the arcuate tab hingedly connected to such score line.

28, a first side 3. The invention of claim 1 further comprising antiracking means arranged on the carrier for preventing said cans from moving up and down relative to each other in the carrier.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said anti-racking means comprises resilient clip means arranged through the top panel of said carrier and into engagement with upper chimes of said one pair of cans to aid said arcuate tabs in positioning said cans in the carrier.

5. A can carrier comprising a paperboard blank arranged in wrap-around relationship with respect to a row of upstanding cylindrical objects, said blank comprising oppposed top and bottom panels arranged in abutting relationship to upper and lower ends of the objects respectively, and further comprising two opposed side panels arranged in abutting relationship to side wall portions of said objects, all of said panels arranged to form at least one open end on said carrier, one of said objects arranged adjacent said open end, at least one arcuate tab arranged adjacent said open end and one of said side panels, said arcuate tab being hingedly connected only to one of said top and bottom panels by an arcuate score line and extending inwardly thereof and further arranged to engage a cylindrical portion of said one object to prevent it from escaping from the carrier, said arcuate source line defined by a radius substantially equaling a radius of said cylindrical portion.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein two of said arcuate tabs are arranged adjacent diagonally opposed corners of said carrier, one of said arcuate tabs hingedly connected to said bottom panel and the other one thereof hingedly connected to said top panel.

7. A carrier having at least one open end comprising a paperboard blank arranged in wrap-around relationship to at least one substantially cylindrical object, said object arranged adjacent said open end and having a restricted throat portion thereon, said blank comprising a top panel engaging a top portion of said throat porton and a bottom panel engaging a bottom portion of said object, a first arcuate tab arranged adjacent said open end and hingedly connected to said bottom panel by an arcuate score line, a second arcuate tab arranged substantially diagonally on said carrier with respect to said first arcuate tab and adjacent said open said, second arcuate tab hingedly connected to said top panel, said first and second arcuate tab arranged to engage the bottom portion and throat portions of the object, respecitvely, to prevent said object from escaping from the carrier.

8. A blank adapted to be erected into a can carrier comprising four panels hingedly connected together in series, one of said panels having two pairs of tabs defined thereon, by cut lines, each tab being hingedly mounted to an arcuate score line formed on said panel, each pair of said tabs respectively arranged adjacent first and second side edges and intermediate the width of said panel, the arcuate score lines for each pair of tabs further arranged to diverge away from each other towards their respective adjacent side edge of said panel.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said arcuate score line is defined by a radius which substantially equals onequarter of the width of said one panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,222,211 11/ 1940 Arneson 220-112 2,851,210 9/1958 Kramer et al. 206-65 3,086,680 4/ 1963 Graser 2 20-1 12 3,156,377 11/1964 Wysocki 206-65 3,163,322 12/1964 Weiss 229-40 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

MARTHA L. RICE, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,337,043 August 22, 1967 Benjamin G. Parker It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 8, for "supstanding" read upstanding column 3, line 20, for "tabs" read tab column 4,

line 24, for "source line" read score line line 42, for "said open said," read said open end, said column 4, line 44, for "arcuate tab" read arcuate tabs column 4, line 45, for "respecitvely" read respectively Signed and sealed this 30th day of July 1968.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. A CAN CARRIER COMPRISING A PAPERBOARD BLANK ARRANGED IN WRAP-AROUND RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO PAIRS OF ALIGNED CANS, SAID BLANK COMPRISING OPPOSED TOP AND BOTTOM PANELS ARRANGED IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP TO UPPER AND LOWER ENDS OF THE CANS, RESPECTIVELY, AND FURTHER COMPRISING TWO OPPOSED SIDE PANELS, ALL OF SAID PANELS ARRANGED TO FORM AT LEAST ONE OPEN END ON SAID CARRIER HAVING ONE PAIR OF SAID CANS ARRANGED THEREAT, ONE PAIR OF OPPOSED "ARCUATE TABS" ARRANGED IN UPSTANDING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENDS OF SAID ONE PAIR OF CANS, EACH OF SAID "ARCUATE TABS" 